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PELHAM, N.Y.  Public safety, taxes and a parade were discussed at the Village of Pelham Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday night.

Trustee Geoff Lewis started the meeting talking about safety because of two armed robberies that occurred in January. He mentioned the
heavily attended community meeting
of concerned Pelham residents, attended by Pelham Police Chief Joe Benefico and Town Supervisor Peter DiPaola, on Feb. 2.

As a result of that meeting, 400 Pelham residents signed up for an email notification system, which will alert them of any dangerous situations.

Im delighted that 400 people signed up already, Lewis said after the meeting. I think its great. I think it shows that the community is engaged and were happy to open up this method of communication. We hope that people stay involved.

The board also voted to schedule a public hearing on a property tax cap override. The state has instituted a 2 percent property tax cap, but Lewis and the board still plan to come in with a budget that conforms to that.

Lewis was quick to state why the public hearing must take place though.

However, in case we do not, we have to put this in place. It doesnt mean that were going to bust the cap, said Lewis. It just means that we have to have this in place as we go into the budget season in case we have a problem.

Trustee Joe Marty saw value in the tax cap.

There is some value in it that its forcing everybody to relook, relook and relook again, he said. We must, must, must look at a budget that stays under this cap.

The trustees also authorized the use of village streets for the annual Little League Parade.